Marcus Licinius Crassus (Approx 112 BC[?]-53 BC) was a powerful figure in
Roman politics on account of his great wealth (he was nicknamed Dives, meaning "rich"). He acquired
this wealth through traffic in slaves, the working of silver mines, and judicious
purchases of lands and houses, especially those of proscribed citizens. Most famous was his acquisition of burning houses: when he received word that a house was on fire, he would arrive and purchase the (apparently lost) property for a modest sum, and then employ his army of 500 clients to put the fire out before much damage had been done.

The proscription of Cinna forced him to flee to Spain. After Cinna's death he passed into Africa, and then to Italy, where he ingratiated himself with Sulla.

Sent into battle against Spartacus, he gained a decisive victory, and was
honored with a minor triumph. Soon afterwards he was elected consul
with Pompey, and (70 BC) displayed his wealth by entertaining the
populace at 10,000 tables, and distributing sufficient grain to last each
family three months. In 65 he was censor, and in 60 he joined Pompey and Caesar
in the coalition known as the First Triumvirate. In 55 he was again consul with
Pompey, and a law was passed, assigning the provinces of the two Spains and Syria
to the two consuls for five years.

Crassus received Syria as his province, which promised to be an inexhaustible source of wealth. However he also sought military
glory, and crossed the Euphrates in an attempt to conquer Parthia only to be
defeated at Carrhae (53 BC), now Haran[?], Turkey, and taken prisoner by Surenas[?], the Parthian general, who put him to death by pouring molten gold down his throat. His head was cut off and sent to Orodes[?], the Parthian king.

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